Passionists advocate for worldwide economic justice.
Legislative Ask for the promotion of Global Solidarity
The North American Passionist JPIC Office support legislation that promotes Global Solidarity. We support a foreign and domestic policy that emphasizes sustainable human development, livelihoods and human rights for all people. We promote fair trade agreements and debt relief. The Passionist JPIC Office is monitoring trade agreements and foreign aid policies to see that they are consistent with Catholic social teaching. Presently Congress is not voting on a Free Trade Agreement.
Consider the Passionist Brief on promoting Global Solidarity
In the meantime you can add your voice to these two current legislative initiatives:
- Remind Congress during this financial crisis that they must priorities programs to alleviate poverty: (http://www.bread.org/take-action/ol2008/sample-letter.html) Now that Congress is in transition take the opportunity to send your congressional representatives a message asking them to prioritize programs that will assist all those who are struggling during this financial crisis. Bread for the World has organized a letter writing campaign that addresses this issue.
- Jubilee Act is sitting in Congress (http://www.jubileeusa.org/index.php) Jubilee USA worked tirelessly this year to create a Bill that will alleviate the burden of debt to many of the poorer nations in our world. The appropriately named Jubilee Act for Responsible Lending and Expanded Debt Cancellation was passed in the House but was stalled in the Senate. More than likely it will have to wait for the next congressional year but in the meantime, as supporters of the Jubilee movement, we ask you to visit their site and see what actions may be available to you.
To find out who your legislators are, click here.
Passionist Reflection on Advocating for Global Solidarity
Conscious of being part of the wider world-community, we recognize the need to collaborate responsibly with people of good will everywhere in pursuing all that is true, noble and just, - Passionist Constitution #69
Catholic Social Teaching and our Christian Scriptures remind us of our commitment to the poor. The 25th Chapter of the Gospel of Matthew reminds us that our divine judgment will be based on how we treat the less fortunate members of society. Jesus lived, taught and healed the poor and marginalized members of his society. In return, the political powers of his time marginalized and crucified Him. The Cross is a symbol of the solidarity that Christ has with those who, like Him, bear a cross.
We Passionists are ministers to the suffering community that struggles to find meaning in the midst of global poverty and social marginalization. Globalization has changed how our world interacts with each other. Economically, the borders that once may have protected a group of people through national policies no longer exist.
On the one hand, this has brought financial opportunities and technological innovation to some. But on the other hand, there are many who no longer have any traditional market access and are being left out of the global community. We Passionists are in solidarity with those marginalized members of our global economy.
As an international religious community we believe that the free trade of products across borders is, in general, a very good thing. However, our analysis is that the free trade agreements supported by our government benefit only a few while the majority suffers the burden of being left out of these new global markets. For that reason, we work with other Catholic and Christian organizations to uphold trade principles that are fair as well as free.
For more information, visit the Trade Justice Network http://www.tradejusticeusa.org/
